It’s been said that we “are what we eat,” but it may be more accurate to say that we are “what we think.” Having the right mindset can lead people to incredible levels of success. The same could be said in the opposite for a negative mindset. Unfortunately some of our most common habits are also the things that hold us back from success. Are these bad habits part of your life?

#1. Expecting Perfection

Humanity is fallible. Not a single person is perfect. We can strive for perfection and sometimes achieve it, but we aren’t 100% perfect. No one is. Mistakes happen and they help us to learn how we can be better. Expecting more than anyone could ever provide ultimately leads to negativity. At the end of the day, if you’ve given your all, you’ve done what you can.

#2. Say No

Far too often we feel obligated to say “yes” when we really want to say “no.” We don’t want to let others down. We want to feel like we’re included. We want to leave a lasting legacy. Pleasing others for short-term gains only helps the people being helped. Just say “no” when you don’t feel up to a project and don’t feel guilty about it. More importantly – don’t let others make you feel guilty about it. Take a stand for yourself.

#3. Eliminate the Negative Self-Talk

When we have hindsight, it’s easy to second-guess the decisions we’ve made in the heat of the moment. Instead of replaying incidents over and over again, be forgiving of yourself. Speak of the positive things you did accomplish, even when a mistake was made at the end of the day. We are often our own worst critic. Success stays away with too much criticism.

#4. Think About Tomorrow

The daily grind can be overwhelming sometimes. It seems like we’ll never get out of the routine we’ve got and eventually we just burn out. It doesn’t have to be this way if you’re willing to set future goals and then navigate towards them. Now is important, but where you’ll be 15 years from now is also important. Ignoring your goals to focus on today will never find long-term success.

#5. You’re Not an Island

People can be difficult sometimes. They’re judgmental. They create drama. They talk non-stop and don’t let you get your work done. People are also essential for success. We can’t do everything on our own. We need a support system in place to help us take advantage of what strengths others bring to the table.

Most importantly, you are your own person. You bring your own talents and experiences to every project. You cannot compare yourself to anyone else because of this uniqueness. Focus on your strengths, let the past stay in the past, and be open and honest in all things. When you can eliminate these bad habits that prevent success, you might just find happiness lurking around the next corner.